Custodial deaths

A Madurai court in Tamil Nadu on April 6, 2026, sentenced nine policemen to death for the custodial torture and murder of trader P. Jayaraj (58) and his son J. Benicks (31) in Sattankulam, Thoothukudi district, in June 2020. The father and son were detained at Sattankulam police station for allegedly violating COVID-19 lockdown norms by keeping their mobile phone sales and service showroom open. The case shook civil society and became a political issue.